Main navigation

User account menu

Breadcrumb

At the National Department of Tourism we measure success not only in the visitor numbers, but in the experiences we create, the new opportunities for meaningful employment and growth and the understanding that is fostered between people from different backgrounds and different corners of the world and our tourist guides play an integral role in this.​

Tourist Guides are often one of the first people to welcome tourists and the last to bid them farewell. Their role is to enhance our visitors' experience and be ambassadors for South Africa as a tourist destination.

Definition of Tourist Guide

Tourist Guides act as ambassadors of the country, they are the first to meet and welcome tourists and they are often the last ones to bid farewell to them when they leave the country. ​

Various international organizations such as the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA) define a tourist guide as the person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of​ an area, which person may possess an area specific qualification. Such specifications are usually issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority.

A tourist guide is someone who points out the way and leads others on a trip or tour. Generally, a tourist guide will work at a specific location, city or province. In some cases, guides qualify to guide throughout an entire country.

According to the Tourism Act No. 3 of 2014, Tourist guide means any person registered as such under section 50 and who for reward accompanies any person who travels within or visits any place within the Republic and who furnishes such person with information or comments.

Importance of Tourist Guides

Tourist guiding is a very critical component of the tourism value chain. They play an essential role in ensuring repeat tourist visitation to South Africa through creating a positive image of our country.

In South Africa, tourist guiding is a regulated profession governed by national legislation and policies. Any person that would like to become a tourist guide must undergo training as part of a formal qualification registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Upon being deemed competent, such person will receive a certificate issued by the Culture, Arts,​ Tourism Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), Such person must then apply to the relevant Provincial Registrar to be registered in order to operate legally. This process unfolds as prescribed in the Tourism Act, 2014 and the Regulations in respect of Tourist Guides, 1994 and 2001 respectively.

​

Characteristics of Tourist Guides

The role and function of a guide is to organise, inform and entertain. Guides are mainly freelance and self-employed. Work is often seasonal and​ may involve working during unsociable hours. Work is usually obtained through direct contact with tour operators and other agencies and therefore, guides must be self-sufficient and be able to market themselves.

The manner in which tourist guides interact and treat tourists is very important because it gives a lasting impression about the country in general. The Code of Conduct and Ethics that tourist guides signs prescribes the way in which qualified, legally registered tourist guides must conduct themselves whilst on duty. Registered tourist guides who fail to abide by the Code of Conduct and Ethics could be subjected to formal disciplinary hearings and be charged with ​misconduct.

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

In South Africa tourist guiding is a regulated sector governed by national legislation and policies. Any person who wishes to become a tourist guide must undergo training as part of a formal qualification registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

When they are deemed competent, they are awarded a certificate issued by the Culture, Arts, Tourism Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) or through an Institution of Higher Learning that offers tourist guiding programmes recognized by SAQA. Then they apply to the relevant Provincial Registrar to be registered as a tourist guide.

There are three main prescripts that govern the Tourist Guiding sector and they are:

Tourism Act no 3 of 2014

The Act defines the scope of tourist guiding and provides a framework for the conduct and governance of the tourist guiding profession. The Act therefore makes provision for:

the establishment of the office of the National Registrar and Provincial Registrars of Tourist Guides with clearly defined roles and responsibilities;

the development of a Code of Conduct​ and Ethics for tourist guides;

and a framework and procedures for complaints, discipline, appeals and reviews, prohibitions and disputes.

Individuals considering pursuing a career in tourist guiding must first complete the training and assessment process with a Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA)-accredited training provider, and then register with the relevant Provincial Registrar.

This Act came into effect on the 7 April 2014. Chapter 6 of the Act deals with the following matters relating to tourist guiding.

The roles and responsibilities of the National Registrar and Provincial Registrars.

The procedure relating to registration of tourist guides (click on how to register for more information).

Regulations in respect of tourist guiding 2001

The Regulations explains and elaborates on matters prescribed by the Act by setting out: a procedure to be followed when registering tourist guides and drafting the Code of Conduct and Ethics. The Regulations also includes endorsements and suspension procedures and provides details of the fines to be levied for non-compliance and the procedures for appeals to be lodged.

The code of conduct and ethics

This code outlines the way in which qualified, legally registered guides must conduct themselves.

It requires tourist guides to:

take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of a tourist whom they are accompanying; and

render services which comply with any norms and standards.

TRAINING OF TOURIST GUIDES

Tourist guides must be trained by accredited training providers for their application for registration to be considered. Tourist guides are responsible for verifying the registration status of the training providers before commencement of training.​

A full list of accredited training providers and assessors can be obtained on the Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) website www.cathsseta.org . ​Information about tourist guiding programmes which are recognised by SAQA can be obtained from the SAQA website www.sa​qa.org.za. Alternatively, enquiries can be made at the Tourist Guides Registration Offices across Provinces.

Requirements to Register to become a Tourist Guide

Provincial Registrars are appointed in each of the nine provinces to register tourist guides. In order to be registered as a tourist guide in South Africa, a person must meet the following minimum requirements:

be a South African citizen or be in possession of a valid work permit;

must have undergone training with a CATHSSETA-accredited training provider or any other accredited institution which offers programes recognized by SAQA;

be in possession of a valid first aid certificate from institution recognized by Department of Labour;

pay a registratio​n fee of R240 (Renewable every 3 years)

submit 4 passport-size photos;

must submit a completed and signed registration form and the code of conduct and ethics upon registration.

​​​​​Tourist Guide Registrars

The National Registrar of Tourist Guides, in conjunction with the Provincial Registrars, facilitate maintenance of the Central Tourist Guides Register as well as the registration of Tourist Guides at provincial level. In this section, browsers will be able to access the contact details of the National and Provincial Registers.​​​